Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Food critics blamed for top chef's suicide
Ireland Online ^ | February 25, 2003

Posted on 02/25/2003 6:55:13 AM PST by Dog Gone

The suicide of famed chef Bernard Loiseau sent shock waves through France today and sparked condemnation from fellow culinary masters who accused the country’s all-powerful food critics of pushing him over the edge.

Loiseau, 52, was found dead in the bedroom of his home in Saulieu, near his three-star Cote d’Or restaurant in Burgundy.

A rifle was found at his side. Staff and family members said he had committed suicide.

The news sent the gastronomic world into mourning and quickly sparked debate about the merits of restaurant guides’ rating systems which chefs await each year with bated breath.

Loiseau maintained his top rating of three stars in the 2003 edition of the benchmark Michelin Red Guide. However, he lost two points, going from 19 to 17, in the 20 point rating system of the GaultMillau. That guide has gained in prestige and power in recent years.

“He said, ‘If I lose a star, I’ll kill myself,”’ said another three-star chef, Jacques Lameloise, who has a restaurant in Chagny in the Saone-et-Loire region.

Paul Bocuse, who said he spoke with Loiseau three times a week, predicted that the chef’s death would raise longer-term questions about the ratings system.

“I am sure that Bernard was very affected by the loss of these two points. We should not allow ourselves to be manipulated like that – I give you a star, I take one away,” Bocuse said. “These critics are like eunuchs: They know what to do but they can’t do it.”

He added: “The profession is going to react.”

Loiseau’s widow, Dominique, said her husband had recently been very tired and had not taken a holiday in years.

Loiseau was an innovator in the world of gastronomy, the only French chef traded on the stock exchange. The shares were suspended until further notice today.

The chef also had a line of frozen foods, three restaurants in Paris and a boutique near his Cote d’Or” restaurant.

The Bernard Loiseau company said it would go on despite Loiseau’s “sudden” death, with the various establishments shutting down only for the funeral, likely to be held Friday.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: culinary; france; frenchcuisine; suicide; toughfroglegs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last
Someone rained on his souffle.
1 posted on 02/25/2003 6:55:13 AM PST by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
Or peed in his pate.
2 posted on 02/25/2003 6:56:16 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: Dog Gone
Poor self-esteem is killing all the great chefs of Europe.
4 posted on 02/25/2003 6:57:27 AM PST by TruthShallSetYouFree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
Uh--suicide is usually a sign of deep, underlying problems and to blame something or someone external to that person is rediculous.
5 posted on 02/25/2003 6:59:24 AM PST by aeronca
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aeronca
Yeah, but we are talking about the French here...
6 posted on 02/25/2003 7:01:24 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
Speaking of French food, the French Toast I got at the IHOP last Saturday morning left much to be desired. French cooking has certainly gone downhill in these parts as well. Even the French fries at Applebees aren't as good as they used to be. I might have to start having rice with my fish.

It's certainly been a bad year for French cuisine.

7 posted on 02/25/2003 7:05:42 AM PST by SamAdams76 (California wine tastes better - boycott French wine!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla

Frog's Legs with Garlic Purée and Parsley Jus

An original recipe from Bernard Loiseau of La Côte d'Or in Saulieu, France

Preparation time: Under 30 minutes
Cooking time: Under 30 minutes
Cost: Reasonable
Difficulty: Relatively easy

8 posted on 02/25/2003 7:06:30 AM PST by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: mewzilla
Perhaps the film should be re-titled:

"WHO is killing the great chefs of Europe."
9 posted on 02/25/2003 7:08:01 AM PST by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
My dad actually likes frogs' legs. Euwww. I guess I didn't inherit his adventurous palate.
10 posted on 02/25/2003 7:08:11 AM PST by mewzilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
That's really sad. I think I saw him on "Iron Chef" once.
11 posted on 02/25/2003 7:08:13 AM PST by Tax-chick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick
That's really sad. I think I saw him on "Iron Chef" once.

Me too. I think he lost to Ron Popeil.

12 posted on 02/25/2003 7:10:59 AM PST by Focault's Pendulum (I just bought the Maginot Line on E Bay.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Focault's Pendulum
Why didn't he kill himself after he lost on iron chef?
13 posted on 02/25/2003 7:15:18 AM PST by RolandBurnam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
Paul Bocuse, who said he spoke with Loiseau three times a week, predicted that the chef’s death would raise longer-term questions about the ratings system.

So if you make three stars and then threaten to commit suicide, Michelin should never change your rating?

14 posted on 02/25/2003 7:17:54 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RolandBurnam
Why didn't he kill himself after he lost on iron chef?

I think it was because he got a peice of the action on Popeil's new Pocket Truffle Chopper.

15 posted on 02/25/2003 7:18:15 AM PST by Focault's Pendulum (I just bought the Maginot Line on E Bay.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Focault's Pendulum
"I think he lost to Ron Popeil. "

LOL.....That was COLD!

Nam Vet

16 posted on 02/25/2003 7:19:52 AM PST by Nam Vet (Rooting for 'Big Al Sharpton', Savior of the Dims. (America's Mugabe?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
This just in.... The GaultMillau has revised their rating of Chef Bernard Loiseau . Instead of 19 points, a counting error had caused the publication to only give the chef 17 points. The new rating will restore the 19 points that had been originally intended. GaultMillau would like to apologize and hopes there are no hard feelings.
17 posted on 02/25/2003 7:22:05 AM PST by Paradox
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
The French have rifles???
18 posted on 02/25/2003 7:22:07 AM PST by small voice in the wilderness
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: small voice in the wilderness
Oh man. LOL
19 posted on 02/25/2003 7:24:53 AM PST by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone
I hope he got a chance to eat some *real* food before he died... Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and SPAM casserole! Yum!
20 posted on 02/25/2003 7:27:08 AM PST by chilepepper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-76 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson